Everest Side Reopens to International Climbers

Climbers from international teams can once again return to the north side of Everest this year, but it will be more expensive and fewer climbers will be allowed.

Several teams have booked their tickets to the north side but the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) will only allow climbers to attempt if they’re using supplemental oxygen and if they’re part of a guided group, so no independent teams.

The permit to climb from the north per person is $15,800, while climbing from the south is currently $11,000, a price that will jump to $15,000 by 2025. Permit prices in Nepal are set by Nepal’s department of tourism, whereas in China the prices are set by the CTMA. There are other costs on top of the permit just to acquire it, such as the $2,500 to hire a local company to organise the permit, the $4,000 (refundable) trash permit, the $2,500 for a local Nepalese team to organise your permit, and $3,000 per team for a group liaison officer. So, all in a permit will cost between $25,000 and $30,000 with the new prices.

Last fall, two experienced climbing guides died with their clients on Shishapangma and the CTMA closed the mountain to all climbers following the accident. Read about the tragedy here.